For who can be secure of private right,
If sovereign sway may be dissolved by might?
Nor is the people's judgement always true:
The most may err as grossly as the few.

John Dryden

Absalom and Achitophel

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More information about this quote

Topic

The masses Rule of law Democracy

Author

John Dryden

Source

Absalom and Achitophel

Medium

Poem

Genre

Satire

Language

English

Time

1681 1680s 17th century

Occupation

Poet Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Dryden, John. Absalom and Achitophel. London: Jacob Tonson, 1681, pt. 1, I. 779.

Current Citation

Dryden, John. "Absalom and Achitophel." John Dryden Selected Poems. Penguin Classics, 2002, pt. 1, I. 779.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by John Dryden about the masses: “For who can be secure of private right, If sovereign sway may be dissolved…”
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A quote by John Dryden about the masses: “For who can be secure of private right, If sovereign sway may be dissolved…”
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A quote by John Dryden about the masses: “For who can be secure of private right, If sovereign sway may be dissolved…”
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Related Quotes

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Another quote from the 1680s

Every body perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, unless it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.

Isaac Newton

Principia

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More information about this quote
Topic
Newton's laws of motion Laws of physics

Author

Isaac Newton
Source
Principia
Genre
Scientific literature
Language
Latin
Time
1687 1680s 17th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Newton, Isaac. "Axiomata sive Leges Motus: [Axioms, or Laws of Motion]." Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica [The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy], vol. 1. London: Josephi Streater, 1687, law 1.

Current Citation

Newton, Isaac. "Axioms, or the Laws of Motion." The Principia, translated by Andrew Motte. Prometheus, 1995, law 1.

Another quote about The masses

Are you not entertained?

Gladiator

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More information about this quote
Topic
Entertainment The masses
Speaker
Maximus Decimus Meridius
Actor
Russell Crowe
Source
Gladiator
Medium
Film
Genre
Historical drama (film) Drama (film) Historical drama Drama
Statement Type
Question
Language
English
Time
2000 2000s 21st century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Gladiator. Directed by Ridley Scott. DreamWorks Pictures/ Scott Free Productions/Universal Pictures/Red Wagon Entertainment, 2000.